"KTM 990 Adv. as a commuter - what do we think?" thread in "Motorbike Chat"
Originally Posted by nick h. I had the KTM for a year, and it was tremendous fun, and much better than I was expecting for ...

Rev Fred · 18-06-08, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick h.

I had the KTM for a year, and it was tremendous fun, and much better than I was expecting for long, fast journeys. I had an 1150GS at the same time, and the KTM was slightly more of a handful to wrestle around in heavy traffic because it was so tall. Maybe the low seat would cure that.

If you'll be commuting through the winter I'd have thought the KTM's chain would be a bloody nightmare. And the BM is so fantastically practical in rubbish weather - sockets to plug in your heated waistcoat etc. And p'raps the KTM's finish wouldn't last so well? I dunno.

But the KTM is dead funky and an experience everyone should try, if their legs are long enough. The only complaint I can think of is that I preferred the BM's telelever front end to the KTM's fork dive. And that I had to sell it.

Not sure I could be antisocial enough to put Akros on it, but that's me. What about the poor cyclists and pedestrians who have to put up with all that racket?

I really am getting old.

The new Beemer is VERY tempting. I loved the adjustable suspension when I tried it on another bike, and the new GS has more power too . . .

I will definatley try the BMW too, but I suspect I will like the KTM more. I am quite a hard core rider, and I'm not sure the BMW will tick my boxes if you know what I mean.

If I got a GS I would put an Akro on it

nick h. · 18-06-08, 22:01

Sounds like the KTM is calling you! BMs are everywhere - common as muck, with all these saddos trying to do a Euan. Back in the old days I had one of the first 1100s - everyone thought I was a bit strange but a few years later all the rags were saying it was the greatest all-rounder since sliced bread. I reckon I was the first to super moto it too. And I got MHP to make a horrendously loud pipe for it before any of the aftermarket firms were doing one - it used to belch flames at people round the Nurburgring. Gor blimey. People used to wear bowler hats in the City in those days.

Hawkman · 19-06-08, 07:00

Just one thing to point out with trailie style bikes: Yes, they sit higher, but the bars are inevitable wider than those on road bikes and are at the same height as 4X4 and WV mirrors, which can make filtering a pita.

Buy tuned WR450/CRF450X and ride it like you stamped on the devils balls. Totally impracticable, but it'll take ten years off your age if not more.

Weeksy · 19-06-08, 07:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkman

Just one thing to point out with trailie style bikes: Yes, they sit higher, but the bars are inevitable wider than those on road bikes and are at the same height as 4X4 and WV mirrors, which can make filtering a pita.

Only if you actually care about taking out mirrors

balbas · 19-06-08, 07:25

Stickysidedown has a 950 Adv as a daily rider. Prefers it to his 950SM.

His has got about 45k on the clock at the moment, no major problems and he's taking off for Sweden this evening, aiming to be there in time for a mid summer night beach party tomorrow. I guess when he gets home in a couple of weeks he'll be pushing 50k.

He's confident enough in his 45k bike to take it on a jaunt like that, so I shouldn't see why one wouldn't last a few years for a bit of commuting.

He has got a screen extedery thing, and at 6ft2 I've not experienced any major buffet at all when I've ridden it, in fact the weather protection seems rather good. As for the comment about accesory sockets, they're only a few quid, if you want them you don't have to buy a BMW to get them, you can fit them yourself (check out nippy normans for the parts)

RiceBurner · 19-06-08, 08:12

I thought you were looking at a Stelvio?? (nice write up in the Riders Digest btw if you haven't seen it).

Let me know when you're doing test-rides.

balbas · 19-06-08, 08:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiceBurner

I thought you were looking at a Stelvio?? (nice write up in the Riders Digest btw if you haven't seen it).

Let me know when you're doing test-rides.

Oooo, they lok ver' nice.

Crosshair · 19-06-08, 09:50

What about a V-Strom??

Rev Fred · 19-06-08, 12:03

I am quite interested in the Stelvio, but it does seem to come off distinclty second best to the GS and the Adv. in all the reviews. It seems to be too big and too underpowered in the mid-range.

I think if I'm going to go for a big trailie, I want to have as little weight as I can. The KTM looks to be quite lite compared to the others, and also very narrow in the body.

I rdoe a V-Strom once, years ago and I thought it was excellent. However, it is without doubt the ugliest bike ever deliberately constructed, and I could never bring myself to own one.

I don't understand why all these big bikes are ugly. There is no real reason why a tall bike has to be visually challenged.

franky · 19-06-08, 12:09

what about a new moto morini corsaro? I had a GS 1200 and it was nothing but a pain in the ass, its no good for town work as its so wide and it use to leave me at the side of the road waiting for the AA far too often.

The morini will be a good buy, 3 year unlimited warranty , v reliable, great in traffic and a hoofing 1200cc v twin!

Rockburner · 19-06-08, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev Fred

I am quite interested in the Stelvio, but it does seem to come off distinclty second best to the GS and the Adv. in all the reviews. It seems to be too big and too underpowered in the mid-range.

I think if I'm going to go for a big trailie, I want to have as little weight as I can. The KTM looks to be quite lite compared to the others, and also very narrow in the body.

I rdoe a V-Strom once, years ago and I thought it was excellent. However, it is without doubt the ugliest bike ever deliberately constructed, and I could never bring myself to own one.

I don't understand why all these big bikes are ugly. There is no real reason why a tall bike has to be visually challenged.

IIRC Guzzi's tend to be setup quite badly from the factory and need a little bit of "resetting" to get the best of them. At least that's what I was told when I was looking at the Le Mans 4 years ago.

Have a chat with the guys at Corsa Italiana - I think they're the best Guzzi place around the south of London.

Gedge · 19-06-08, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by franky

what about a new moto morini corsaro? I had a GS 1200 and it was nothing but a pain in the ass, its no good for town work as its so wide and it use to leave me at the side of the road waiting for the AA far too often.

The morini will be a good buy, 3 year unlimited warranty , v reliable, great in traffic and a hoofing 1200cc v twin!

If he wants a traillie style then its not the Corsaro but the Grandpasso...wont leave much change from 10 grand though but it does answer the need for a good looking big traillie

SuperSonic · 19-06-08, 13:13

If you liked the reliability of the VFR but want an adventure bike, you'll be wanting a:

VARADERO...

franky · 19-06-08, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gedge

If he wants a traillie style then its not the Corsaro but the Grandpasso...wont leave much change from 10 grand though but it does answer the need for a good looking big traillie

thats the ticket!

Window_Licker · 19-06-08, 17:56

990 adventure

Had one for 2 years. Totally reliable, 700mile days no problem. About 40mpg, miles more fun than my old GS1200. Cruises at 100mph if needed, no buffeting.
Average brakes, good abs, comfy seat. standard cans get very hot but Quill T3's sound great and give about 8bhp extra

Problems: shit injection. Easily cured by akro ecu map and a G2 throttle cam. Mine was unrideable when first bought, now its almost as good as a carbed bike
Lack of feedback when pushing on with the 21" front. Cured by either Avon roadriders or the best solution , a set of 19" , 17" rims. Now it handles closer to a 950sm but with touring capability.

I have owned the Adventure longer than any other bike I have owned.

18-06-08, 22:01	#17 (permalink)
nick h. Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Brixton Posts: 67 Casino cash: £148550 Thanks: 0 Thanked: 0/0	Re: KTM 990 Adv. as a commuter - what do we think? Sounds like the KTM is calling you! BMs are everywhere - common as muck, with all these saddos trying to do a Euan. Back in the old days I had one of the first 1100s - everyone thought I was a bit strange but a few years later all the rags were saying it was the greatest all-rounder since sliced bread. I reckon I was the first to super moto it too. And I got MHP to make a horrendously loud pipe for it before any of the aftermarket firms were doing one - it used to belch flames at people round the Nurburgring. Gor blimey. People used to wear bowler hats in the City in those days.

19-06-08, 07:00	#18 (permalink)
Hawkman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 543 Casino cash: £219350 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 2 Thanked: 3/3	Re: KTM 990 Adv. as a commuter - what do we think? Just one thing to point out with trailie style bikes: Yes, they sit higher, but the bars are inevitable wider than those on road bikes and are at the same height as 4X4 and WV mirrors, which can make filtering a pita. Buy tuned WR450/CRF450X and ride it like you stamped on the devils balls. Totally impracticable, but it'll take ten years off your age if not more.

19-06-08, 07:25	#20 (permalink)
balbas Propeller bender Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SW England Posts: 5,341 Casino cash: £551700 Thanks: 24 Thanked: 37/36	Re: KTM 990 Adv. as a commuter - what do we think? Stickysidedown has a 950 Adv as a daily rider. Prefers it to his 950SM. His has got about 45k on the clock at the moment, no major problems and he's taking off for Sweden this evening, aiming to be there in time for a mid summer night beach party tomorrow. I guess when he gets home in a couple of weeks he'll be pushing 50k. He's confident enough in his 45k bike to take it on a jaunt like that, so I shouldn't see why one wouldn't last a few years for a bit of commuting. He has got a screen extedery thing, and at 6ft2 I've not experienced any major buffet at all when I've ridden it, in fact the weather protection seems rather good. As for the comment about accesory sockets, they're only a few quid, if you want them you don't have to buy a BMW to get them, you can fit them yourself (check out nippy normans for the parts)
	MC011

19-06-08, 08:12	#21 (permalink)
RiceBurner Great Prophet of Veedism Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hiding in your blind spot... Posts: 3,986 Casino cash: £506879 Thanks: 10 Thanked: 39/35	Re: KTM 990 Adv. as a commuter - what do we think? I thought you were looking at a Stelvio?? (nice write up in the Riders Digest btw if you haven't seen it). Let me know when you're doing test-rides.
	non quod, sed quomodo

19-06-08, 09:50	#23 (permalink)
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chippenham Wilts Posts: 501 Casino cash: £160800 Thanks: 5 Thanked: 2/2	Re: KTM 990 Adv. as a commuter - what do we think? What about a V-Strom??


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19-06-08, 12:03	#24 (permalink)
Rev Fred Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 173 Casino cash: £147750 Thanks: 0 Thanked: 2/1	Re: KTM 990 Adv. as a commuter - what do we think? I am quite interested in the Stelvio, but it does seem to come off distinclty second best to the GS and the Adv. in all the reviews. It seems to be too big and too underpowered in the mid-range. I think if I'm going to go for a big trailie, I want to have as little weight as I can. The KTM looks to be quite lite compared to the others, and also very narrow in the body. I rdoe a V-Strom once, years ago and I thought it was excellent. However, it is without doubt the ugliest bike ever deliberately constructed, and I could never bring myself to own one. I don't understand why all these big bikes are ugly. There is no real reason why a tall bike has to be visually challenged.

19-06-08, 12:09	#25 (permalink)
franky Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 Casino cash: £144500 Thanks: 0 Thanked: 0/0	Re: KTM 990 Adv. as a commuter - what do we think? what about a new moto morini corsaro? I had a GS 1200 and it was nothing but a pain in the ass, its no good for town work as its so wide and it use to leave me at the side of the road waiting for the AA far too often. The morini will be a good buy, 3 year unlimited warranty , v reliable, great in traffic and a hoofing 1200cc v twin!

19-06-08, 13:13	#28 (permalink)
SuperSonic Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 446 Casino cash: £0 Thanks: 0 Thanked: 2/2	Re: KTM 990 Adv. as a commuter - what do we think? If you liked the reliability of the VFR but want an adventure bike, you'll be wanting a: VARADERO...

19-06-08, 17:56	#30 (permalink)
Window_Licker Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 46 Casino cash: £175850 Thanks: 0 Thanked: 0/0	Re: KTM 990 Adv. as a commuter - what do we think? 990 adventure Had one for 2 years. Totally reliable, 700mile days no problem. About 40mpg, miles more fun than my old GS1200. Cruises at 100mph if needed, no buffeting. Average brakes, good abs, comfy seat. standard cans get very hot but Quill T3's sound great and give about 8bhp extra Problems: shit injection. Easily cured by akro ecu map and a G2 throttle cam. Mine was unrideable when first bought, now its almost as good as a carbed bike Lack of feedback when pushing on with the 21" front. Cured by either Avon roadriders or the best solution , a set of 19" , 17" rims. Now it handles closer to a 950sm but with touring capability. I have owned the Adventure longer than any other bike I have owned.

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"KTM 990 Adv. as a commuter - what do we think?" thread in "Motorbike Chat" Originally Posted by nick h. I had the KTM for a year, and it was tremendous fun, and much better than I was expecting for ...

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"KTM 990 Adv. as a commuter - what do we think?" thread in "Motorbike Chat"
Originally Posted by nick h. I had the KTM for a year, and it was tremendous fun, and much better than I was expecting for ...